Conquistadors settle for split evening versus TBC. (Feb. 9, 2024)
(Box Score) (Box Score 2)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 9, 2024) – Florida National University’s baseball team (2-2) could not execute a clean sweep versus the Trinity Baptist College Eagles (5-5) Friday. The Conquistadors were electric in game one with a thrilling 17 runs before falling 7-4 in game two. The Eagles tied some of their fielding in game two, posting just one error in the victory.
In game one, the Conquistadors had their incredible run begin in the first inning, delivering a two-run, three-hit inning. FNU’s scores came courtesy of a sac fly from third baseman Matthew Gonzalez and a single to center field from Roberto Fernandez to centerfield. FNU’s Adrian Roman doubled at the top of the second and later scored on a single to left field from Canadian Jordan Lewis.
Gonzalez continued his brilliance in the third with a three-RBI homer to left to give FNU a 5-0 lead. TBC finally got on the boards on a fielder’s choice at the bottom of the frame but it seemed to be too little, too late. FNU went on to score four more runs before Yordangel Gonzalez bombed a solo homer to left at the top of the sixth.
In the seventh, FNU did not take its foot off the gas, posting a six-run, six-hit inning to close out the game. Lewis and Gonzalez each posted an RBI double while FNU racked up three RBI singles and scored on a fielder’s choice. FNU racked up 21 hits and two errors while TBC posted three runs, six hits and three errors.
Game two saw TBC be the first to get on the board thanks to an RBI single from Gavin Williams to highlight a three-hit first inning for the Eagles. TBC got another run in the second thanks to a single that advanced Graham Gorman to third and scored Seth Reeves. After a scoreless third inning for both teams, FNU made it a 2-1 affair after Daniel Silgado stole third and took advantage of a wild pitch moments later, advancing safely to home plate.
Despite cutting the Eagles lead in the fourth, FNU gave up a massive five-run, four-hit inning in the bottom of the frame to put themselves in a 7-1 hole. Pitcher Maylo Sierra had one of his pitches make contact with Ryan Onkst, which allowed the Eagles to score on the wild pitch. TBC racked up three RBI singles in the next few series before FNU was able to retire the side.
In the fifth, FNU scored its second run of the evening on a passed ball that ran in Yordangel Gonzalez. TBC’s offense began to stall as FNU continued to chip away at the deficit with an RBI single from designated hitter Fernandez, a hit by pitch that scored Jeremy De La Cruz to close out the top of the sixth.
FNU’s bats, however, cooled in the seventh as TBC picked up three routine outs to end the ball game with a 7-4 victory.
Up Next: FNU closes out its time in Jacksonville, Fla., with a noon doubleheader on Feb. 10
